Quiz: Howstuffworks

Can You Guess the Branch of Science From an Emoji Sequence?

Beth Hendricks

Image: Matt Lincoln/Cultura/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Science has a long and varied history. As far back as 4000 B.C., human beings tried to make sense of the universe through observation of the sky and stars. They laid the groundwork for the study of diseases and medications, looking to plants and natural elements around them to find relief. Fast-forward a few years, and you'll find scholars in Greece and Asia who started developing and applying mathematical equations to explain things like matter and energy. And we haven't even gotten to guys like Albert Einstein or Nikola Tesla yet!

Merriam-Webster defines science as "the state of knowing." That means, if there's anything in the universe that can be observed — from the weather to animals to communities — there's an "-ology" that fits. Biology, meteorology, audiology, zoology ... and the list goes on! The question is: Are you a prodigy of the "-ologies?" Do you know what the study of telmatology is? That's learning about swamps. How about the study of stomatology? That's learning about the mouth. See what we mean? There's a branch of science for a whole world of knowledge you may never have known existed.

Master the "-ologies" in this quiz by matching a sequence of emojis and a brief description to the correct branch of science. You're under the microscope! Prove you have what it takes to master the science of emoji-ology!

OpenMoji

Musicians love it. Which branch of science focuses on the physics of sound?

Acoustics

Audiology

Phrenology

Pneumatics

You often hear people talk about the acoustics of a room and how sound travels in space. The science of acoustics is concerned with how sound is produced, how it's transmitted and how it's received.

OpenMoji

How objects move through the air: Which branch of science focuses on this topic?

Magirics

Acarology

Aerodynamics

Penology

If you've ever wondered how a 175,000-pound plane propels through the sky, the study of aerodynamics may be for you. Aerodynamics focuses on the relationship between the air and solid objects that move through it.

OpenMoji

All living things need nutrients. Which branch of science studies soil nutrition?

Loimology

Biology

Agrobiology

Melology

Agrobiology is all about the dirt. Most notably, the nutrition in soil and how it impacts both plants and animals. Scientists in this field may be primarily concerned with how to make the soil more efficient for crop growth.

OpenMoji

Your leg bone is connected to your knee bone. Which of these is the study of the human body?

Zoology

Physics

Anatomy

Biology

An off-shoot of biology, anatomy is the study of the structure of the human body. With almost 80 organs in the human body, there is certainly more than enough for anatomists to spend time on.

OpenMoji

You might need a coat if you get involved in which area of windy study?

Anemology

Angiology

Spectrology

Ornithology

If you want to study anemology, you might be right at home in a place like Chicago, known as "The Windy City." This branch of science comes from the Greek word, "anemos," which means wind.

OpenMoji

Curious why people act the way they do? You might want to study which of these branches of science?

Paleontology

Anthropology

Limacology

Aristology

Anthropologists concern themselves with studying humans and human behaviors both in the past and present. They might do this to help solve problems such as poverty or criminality.

OpenMoji

Buzzzzzz! Which of these fields of science is concerned with the study of honey bees?

Kinesiology

Apiology

Beeology

Honeyatics

Apiology may sound more like it's concerned with the study of monkeys or apes, but it is in fact the study of honey bees. The word is derived from Latin, where "apis" means "bees."

OpenMoji

What's that smell? This branch of science focuses on fragrances and odors and human reaction. What is it?

Lepidopterology

Aromachology

Hygrometry

Immunology

Have you ever had a fragrance remind you of a specific memory? Scientists actually study things like this in a branch of science known as aromachology. This one is easy to remember since the word "aroma" is right in the mix.

OpenMoji

Galileo Galilei was famous in this field, which examines stars, planets and galaxies. What is it?

Kalology

Cytology

Astronomy

Entomology

Galileo Galilei contributed much to the field of astronomy, but perhaps no discovery was as significant as his uncovering of Jupiter's four moons. Today, these moons are referred in honor of Galileo as the Galilean Moons.

OpenMoji

Speak up, we can't hear you. Which of these branches of science studies ear and hearing issues?

Immunology

Audiology

Cosmetology

Cardiology

Not only do we rely on our ears to hear things around us, but problems with them can lead to other issues such as balance problems. Audiologists concern themselves with the study of the ear and hearing and how it can impact other health issues.

OpenMoji

It's the circle of life. Which of these scientific fields deals with the study of life?

Ergonomics

Eschatology

Biology

Gerontology

You likely took biology in school, a subject that had you studying everything from the structure of cells to how plants engage in photosynthesis. Under biology are many subject areas, from biochemistry to ecology.

OpenMoji

Green thumb? You might like to study which of these areas of science that focuses on plants?

Histology

Botany

Graphology

Heliology

It's safe to say that botanists have a green thumb and a love of all things green and leafy. Botany studies everything from the structure of plants of all sizes to how plants interact with the environment around them.

OpenMoji

Did you know you can study hamburgers? This branch of science is the study of food. What is it called?

Hepatology

Bromatology

Hydrogeology

Loxodromy

From the Greek word, "broma," which means "food," we find bromatology — a study of both food products and the science behind them. Individuals who pursue this field are generally called "food scientists" rather than bromatologists.

OpenMoji

Which of these branches of science deals with matters of the heart (and we don't mean love)?

Dermatology

Cardiology

Hepatology

Irenology

Cardiology is the study of the heart and its functions and disorders. If you have heart problems, you will likely be referred to a cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in understanding the heart.

OpenMoji

Remember studying the periodic table? This branch of science deals with these elements and how they interact. What is it called?

Mesology

Neurology

Chemistry

Physiology

You may not think of yourself as a chemist, but if you've ever baked anything, there was chemistry involved. The field of chemistry is concerned with various elements and substances and how they interact.

OpenMoji

She sells seashells by the seashore. What branch of science would she study if she were interested in shells?

Onomastics

Shellology

Conchology

Muscology

Conchology isn't just the study of conch shells, but it could certainly include those. Conchology is a part of the science of zoology, employing conchologists who study the shells of mollusks.

OpenMoji

If you dig the study of population density, births and deaths, which of these branches of science might be your favorite?

Cosmetology

Demography

Psychology

Embryology

Have you ever been asked for demographic information when filling out a survey or questionnaire? Chances are a demographer was using that information to study human populations — including you!

OpenMoji

If you have a skin rash or a problem with your fingernails, you'd want to see a doctor who specializes in which of these?

Dermatology

Gastronomy

Hermatology

Psychology

Dermatologists went to school to learn more about the study of skin and the various things that affect it. This branch of science is known as dermatology, from the Greek word "dermatos," which means skin.

OpenMoji

Which of these branches of science deals with the study of the environment and living beings that inhabit it?

Epistemology

Ecology

Garbology

Metrology

Ecologists study things like how animals co-exist and interact with one another and with the environment they live in. The origin of the word "ecology" is interesting. It comes from the Greek word, "oikos," which means habitation or environment.

OpenMoji

This question might gross you out. Which brand of science studies the act of vomiting?

Nostology

Metallurgy

Odontology

Emetology

It's a pretty specific field of study, one that studies the act, and causes, of vomiting. It might make it sound better if you refer to vomiting by its technical name — emesis, making it easier to see where this branch of science gets its name.

OpenMoji

Beetles, ants and mosquitos ... oh my! What field of science do people study to learn more about insects?

Entomology

Ichnology

Exobiology

Genethlialogy

A sub-specialty of zoology, entomology studies insects and their impact on the environment in which they live. Did you know insects make many of our plants, flowers and crops possible?

OpenMoji

If there's ever a zombie outbreak, this field of science may help us understand it. What is it?

Enigmatology

Epidemiology

Zoology

Genesiology

If we ever have to figure out what's behind the spread of a viral infection that causes a zombie outbreak, we'll need the services of an epidemiologist. They study how diseases spread and how they can be controlled.

OpenMoji

Have you ever had someone study you at work? This branch of science does just that. What is it called?

Glossology

Ergonomics

Fluviology

Geneology

Ergonomics is concerned with how people work while they're at ... work. A great deal of fuss has been made in the past few years about ergonomically-designed work environments that help employees be safe and more productive.

OpenMoji

There's a branch of science that is specifically interested in your grandma and grandpa. What is it?

Graminology

Gerontology

Hagiology

Koniology

Gerontology concerns itself with the study of aging and the various matters that affect the aging population. Gerontologists may find careers in hospitals, assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

OpenMoji

Dracula might have made a career out of this branch of science. Which of these deals with the study of blood?

Cardiology

Hematology

Oncology

Radiology

Hematology focuses on the study of blood and blood disorders like anemia, leukemia and hemophilia. The word hematology derives from the Greek, "haima," which means blood, and makes up words like "hemorrhage" and "hemangioma," both of which concern the blood.

OpenMoji

Here fishy, fishy, fishy! Which of these branches of science studies fish?

Ichthyology

Kymatology

Etymology

Ornithology

Fishermen may love fish for one reason, but they don't have anything on ichthyologists, who study fish and their habitats and behaviors. In Greek, the word "ikhthys" represents fish.

OpenMoji

Studying ocean life wouldn't be a bad gig. What is this branch of science called?

Pharology

Marine biology

Onomasiology

Pisteology

Marine biology is the study of what lives in the deep blue sea. Marine biologists may examine schools of fish, sharks, manatees and any other organism — large or small — in the water that covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface.

OpenMoji

You may find a person who studied weather on your local news broadcast. What branch of science are they interested in?

Phytology

Meteorology

Podology

Tempestology

Meteorologists, better known to some as a "weatherperson," study all types of weather and weather patterns in the atmosphere. Most television stations employ a meteorologist who explains the weather to viewers.

OpenMoji

Smile! This branch of science is concerned with the study of teeth. What is it called?

Toreutics

Odontology

Urology

Speleology

Have you ever had to see an orthodontist? Do you recognize the "odont" in that word? Odontology is the study of teeth. More specifically, odontologists work to understand the anatomy of teeth and are called upon often to help in criminal investigations.

OpenMoji

Eye see you! Which branch of science concerns the study of the eye and eye disorders?

Sphygmology

Ophthalmology

Rhinology

Primatology

Ophthalmology is a branch of science that involves the study of the eye and diseases that can affect it, such as macular degeneration or cataracts. These experts are known as ophthalmologists, which is different than an optometrist.

OpenMoji

This branch of science concerns the use of effects of medications. What is it called?

Sarcology

Pharmacology

Psychopathology

Stemmatology

Pharmacologists study how different types of medications are used and how they might impact those taking them. You probably recognize the word "pharma" from your local "pharmacy" or pharmaceutical companies that produce medications.

OpenMoji

If you need someone to get inside your mind, someone who studied this branch of science will help. What is it?

Psychology

Sociology

Dendrology

Cynology

Both psychologists and psychiatrists deal with matters of the mind, which makes them ideal choices if you have mental concerns you need to work through. The word psychology stems from the Greek, "psyche," which has been interpreted as "life," "spirit" or "self."

OpenMoji

Which of these weather-related branches of science focuses on the study of earthquakes?

Seismology

Volcanology

Tempestology

Meteorology

Seismologists study earthquakes and the waves earthquakes generate that pass through the Earth. The man who invented the Richter scale, a device that measures an earthquake's intensity, was a seismologist.

OpenMoji

Goodnight, moon. Which branch of science would be cool to study if you're a moon lover?

Tegestology

Somatology

Pyrgology

Selenology

Selenology, a word that is derived from the Greek word "selene" for moon, is concerned with just that — the study of the moon. Do you think you'd need to be a night owl to be a selenologist?

OpenMoji

Some scientists study birds. It's a branch of science known as which of these?

Helcology

Herpetology

Ornithology

Gemmology

Ornithologists study all aspects of bird life, including the sounds they make, where and how they travel and how they behave in their environments. Ornithology is a sub-speciality of zoology.

OpenMoji

You might hear of someone having a screening to detect poisonous substances in the body. What branch of science covers this type of study?

Fluviology

Toxicology

Garbology

Histology

Have you ever heard of a toxicology screening? This is a type of test that assesses the drugs or poisons in a human's system. Toxicology is the study of how these poisons impact the body and how they can be used.

OpenMoji

New York, Los Angeles, Houston, too. What branch of science is concerned with studying places such as these?

Ruralology

Cityology

Urbanology

Hoplology

Believe it or not, the study of cities like New York, Los Angeles and Houston has a name — urbanology. Urbanologists can study these cities to help identify particular problems that plague these communities to help implement solutions.

OpenMoji

"You're a grand old flag!" Did you know flags have their own branch of science? Which is it?

Flagenomics

Vexillology

Typhlology

Vitrics

How in the world did they get "vexillology" from the study of flags? The Latin word for flag, "vexillum," explains a lot. Flags contain a lot of history, and their design elements are definitely worth of study.

OpenMoji

People who love animals may choose to study this field of science. What is it?

Zoology

Typography

Uranology

Mallology

Zoologists enjoy studying animals and what they do. That may include understanding the ecosystems in which particular animals live, their diets, characteristics of a species, and a host of other animal-related information.

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